An ICSO K-9 team located evidence, and one of the suspects, in the woods behind the house.

Karen Botakaren.bota@sentinel-standard.com

The Central Michigan Enforcement Team arrested three people Thursday night in connection with a suspected meth lab at a home in the 400 block of West Riverside Drive, just outside the Ionia city limits.

A fourth person was arrested on an absconder warrant.

Arraigned Friday afternoon in Ionia County 64-A District Court were:n Robert Edward Benjamin, 46, of Portland, who was charged with controlled substance – operating/maintaining a laboratory near specified places. His bond was set at $25,000 cash surety;n Bradley Michael Forist, 23, of Ionia, who was charged with controlled substance – possession of methamphetamine. His bond was set at $20,000 cash surety;n James Luttman, 23, of Ionia, who was charged with controlled substance – operating/maintaining a laboratory involving methamphetamine. His bond was set at $20,000 cash surety.

All three men pleaded not guilty. Their pre-trial conferences are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 28.

Ionia County Undersheriff Charlie Noll said search warrants were executed around 8:30 p.m. after a CMET investigation. An ICSO K-9 team located evidence, and one of the suspects, in the woods behind the house.

The investigation is continuing, Noll said.

CMET is a multijurisdictional drug task force. Participating agencies include Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, Ionia County Sheriff's Office, Montcalm County Sheriff's Office, Newaygo County Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police.

CMET was assisted in Thursday's operation by Michigan State Police, Ionia County Sheriff's Office, Ionia Department of Public Safety and Ionia County Central Dispatch.